Chelan County, Washington – Fire Breaks Out in Motor Home At State Route 97

Chelan County, Washington (August 23, 2019) – A fire caused the destruction of a motor home at State Route 97 near milepost 174 on Friday. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, and the fire was kept from spreading into nearby trees.

The motor home was said to be disabled there was no mentions of any occupants inside the structure when the fire broke out. The fire caused the road to be closed in both directions while crews extinguished the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

About Fire

There are many dangers present in fire, and studies have pointed to the structure of the mobile home as some of the most dangerous in a fire. Mobile homes are often considered manufactured housing, which is defined as any home constructed in a manufacturing plant and transport-able in one or two sections. Their economical state and availability makes them attractive to many buyers across America. In the state of Washington, mobile homes compose around 7.5% of housing, which is a fairly small number. However, the U.S. Fire Administration has stated that the fatality rate in mobile homes are doubled compared to regular, on-site houses.

The high level of danger in a mobile home fire comes from its structure. The frames in mobile homes are composed of a light steel structure, which can easily bend in high heat. In addition, floors are made of wood, and in a fire, both the frame and wood can easily collapse and trap occupants or firefighters. Coupled with the small spaces in mobile homes, a fire in this structure comes with great risk. Homeowners are advised to consider fire safety at all times, and firefighters are instructed to be wary of tackling a mobile home fire. Beyond the damage and loss inflicted on property, the threat of injuries and death should make everyone living in these homes to follow safety regulations.

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